Question about mini panels/gutter convention I've noticed in webtoons

migxmeg 2020-09-05 18:06:06 UTC #1

Does anyone know what it means when a larger panel is broken up like the following in a scrolling-style webtoon? Or when there's one itty bitty panel that has a sliver of sky (I've even seen blank ones). It's got to be a convention because I see it in a lot of popular webtoons but I'm feeling very out of the loop.

lunagraves714 2020-09-05 18:15:16 UTC #2

I've seen these before, and I think usually it's to indicate a time skip(?)

byelacey 2020-09-05 18:51:03 UTC #3

It's a great way to show time passing. Could just be a few minutes, esp if the panel and lighting is exactly the same!

rajillustration 2020-09-05 19:17:36 UTC #4

time passing, usaully.

But, if there's things happening, it can also indicate that something is very quickly happening--so if you see someone picking up a bat in a smaller panel, it gives the impression that was a fast short movement, since the panels next to it are so large.

But, when it's just sky or whatever...it's just time.

migxmeg 2020-09-05 19:19:58 UTC #5

@redfeather714 @byelacey @rajillustration

Thank you all so much for solving the mystery for me! I was going nuts searching the internet for this information...

Jenny-Toons 2020-09-05 21:00:42 UTC #6

It's also a common trait seen in most mangas and traditional comics. Not only do they help with time passing, they also help with fading in and out of scenes. Kinda like how tv shows fade into black screens.

Some of these panels are solid white, and others can be solid black. Think Scott McCloud used an example in one of his comic making books: